Oral palliative care facilitators and barriers
There is an increased epidemic of people with life-limiting diseases such as cardio-vascular disease, cancer and diabetes globally. Older people in general now live longer with multi-morbid life limiting illnesses. Poor oral hygiene in frail elderly at the end of life facilitates the colonization of pathogens on the surfaces of teeth, tongue and dentures which further increases the risk of respiratory infections which can be life threatening.
Palliative patients have been reported to have a high incidence of oral problems associated with their major ailment. However, reports have shown that this group of population uses lesser oral care services despite its importance. Medical management of palliative conditions such as chemotherapy is likely to produce oral complications because these drugs target cells with high mitotic rate. A national cancer institute reported that 80% of patients receiving myeloablative chemotherapy will develop oral complications. Palliative drugs such as bisphosphonates and analgesics are usually associated with oral mucositis and taste disturbances.

Learning Objectives